Why is my dog suffering from hair loss?
If your dog’s hair starts falling out suddenly, it can be an alarming and worrying sight. But, as distressing as it can seem, hair loss in dogs is reasonably common and usually treatable — depending on the underlying cause.
Dogs of any age or breed can suffer from hair loss, at any stage of their lifetime. Hair loss in dogs and bald spots in dogs can be caused by a range of factors — from moderate issues to more serious health problems — and in this guide, we’ll look at some of those typical conditions. We’ll also cover likely treatment if your dog is losing hair in patches.
It’s important that you don’t mistake a dog’s hair falling out with shedding, which is a natural process and occurs during the year. Shedding is the way that dogs lose old hair to replace with a newer, healthier coat.
Dogs of any age or breed can suffer from hair loss, at any stage of their lifetime. Hair loss in dogs and bald spots in dogs can be caused by a range of factors — from moderate issues to more serious health problems — and in this guide, we’ll look at some of those typical conditions. We’ll also cover likely treatment if your dog is losing hair in patches.
It’s important that you don’t mistake a dog’s hair falling out with shedding, which is a natural process and occurs during the year. Shedding is the way that dogs lose old hair to replace with a newer, healthier coat.
Symptoms of Alopecia In Dogs
This may sound like a question with an obvious answer, but the symptoms of hair loss and alopecia in dogs can be wide-ranging – from noticeable bald patches on a dog to a dog’s hair falling out in larger quantities. Some of these symptoms can be quite subtle, so it’s not always clear that your dog could be living with alopecia.
Commons symptoms of hair loss and alopecia in dogs can include:
Commons symptoms of hair loss and alopecia in dogs can include:
- General thinning of the hair
- Bald spots in dogs
- Bald patches of complete hair loss on dog
- Patterns of hair loss in the same place around the dog’s body
- Itchiness
- Red or inflamed skin around the hair loss area
- Dry and scaly skin around the hair loss area
- Bleeding around the hair loss area
- Oozing or leaking moisture around the hair loss area
- Scratching around the hair loss area
- Red spots, pimples or hives around the area
- Dark skin patches
There are other symptoms of alopecia in dogs, too, that may not seem so physically obvious compared to noticeable skin issues.
These can include:
These can include:
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Lethargy, lack of energy
- Drinking more frequently or excessively
- Loss of or changes in appetite
If you notice any or some of these symptoms, consult your veterinarian. Your dog may be suffering with alopecia — or there could be another underlying health issue. Either way, it’s wise to speak to a professional.
Causes of hair loss and alopecia in dogs
So, what’s causing these bald patches on your dog? There are, actually, a large range of causes so it’s not simply a process of understanding immediately why your dog’s hair is falling out. That is for a vet to understand and explain.
Possible causes of alopecia in dogs include:
Possible causes of alopecia in dogs include:
- Pressure sores or friction, caused by a too-tight collar
- Repeated chewing or licking
- Trauma and/or scarring
- Skin infections – bacterial or fungal, such as ringworm
- Post-surgical clipping
- Allergies – including insect
- Mites and lice
- Fleas
- Thyroid disorder
- Cushing’s disease
- Sex hormone imbalance
- Chemotherapy
- Skin cancer
- Genetics (certain breeds can develop hair loss in adulthood on ears, chest, thighs, or in certain pigmented parts of the body)
Unfortunately, some breeds of dog are more prone to experiencing alopecia than others. Hereditary alopecia is thought to particularly affect a number of breeds, including:
- Alaskan Malamutes
- Boston Terriers
- Boxers
- Chihuahuas
- Dachshunds
- Italian Greyhounds
- Poodles
- Siberian Huskies
- Whippets
These breeds of dogs may also have a condition known as Alopecia X.
Diagnosing hair loss in dogs
With such a wide range of potential causes for hair loss in dogs, don’t guess at the issue: a visit to the vet is imperative.
Your veterinarian will examine your dog to determine the underlying cause and therefore be able to recommend a course of treatment. Diagnosis is based on the onset of signs, pattern of hair loss, the skin’s condition around the area of hair loss, and whether your dog is showing signs of discomfort — either in pain or by itching.
The process of diagnosing alopecia in dogs may include the following:
Pattern of hair loss in dogs
Generalized hair loss in dogs could be a sign of mange or bacterial infection. Patches of hair loss could indicate conditions like ringworm, bacterial infection, mites, or mange. Hair loss in the rump and tail base area is often due to a flea allergy.
Hair loss from the paws and face is sometimes environmental allergies (atopy). Symmetrical hair loss could be a sign of adrenal gland disorder, thyroid disorder, or abnormal sex hormone levels (endocrine disorders).
Your veterinarian will examine your dog to determine the underlying cause and therefore be able to recommend a course of treatment. Diagnosis is based on the onset of signs, pattern of hair loss, the skin’s condition around the area of hair loss, and whether your dog is showing signs of discomfort — either in pain or by itching.
The process of diagnosing alopecia in dogs may include the following:
Pattern of hair loss in dogs
Generalized hair loss in dogs could be a sign of mange or bacterial infection. Patches of hair loss could indicate conditions like ringworm, bacterial infection, mites, or mange. Hair loss in the rump and tail base area is often due to a flea allergy.
Hair loss from the paws and face is sometimes environmental allergies (atopy). Symmetrical hair loss could be a sign of adrenal gland disorder, thyroid disorder, or abnormal sex hormone levels (endocrine disorders).
Blood profile
Blood testing will help to diagnose certain immune system conditions, hormone abnormalities, thyroid disorders, Cushing’s disease, and Diabetes mellitus.
Blood testing will help to diagnose certain immune system conditions, hormone abnormalities, thyroid disorders, Cushing’s disease, and Diabetes mellitus.
Biopsy
If skin cancer or a tumor is suspected, or in persistent unresponsive skin lesions, the veterinarian may want to send a sample of the affected area to the laboratory to determine diagnosis and treatment.
Skin impression smears
Pressing a microscopic slide on the affected area and analyzing it can show the presence of bacteria, yeast, or inflammatory cells.
Pressing a microscopic slide on the affected area and analyzing it can show the presence of bacteria, yeast, or inflammatory cells.
Skin scraping
Scraping the skin gently with a blade to gather hair follicles onto a slide can help detect the presence of mange mites.
Scraping the skin gently with a blade to gather hair follicles onto a slide can help detect the presence of mange mites.
Luminescence
Some ringworm species will glow a fluorescent green-yellow under ultraviolet light.
Some ringworm species will glow a fluorescent green-yellow under ultraviolet light.
Allergen elimination trials
Feeding a hypoallergenic diet, treating fleas, or eliminating the use of certain shampoos or drugs may reveal an allergy to a certain food.
Allergy testing
Skin and/or blood tests can narrow down the list of potential environmental allergens.
Treating hair loss and alopecia in dogs
When your vet has successfully diagnosed the cause for your dog losing its hair in patches, treatment can begin. A variety of treatments available – depending on the cause of your dog losing hair.
Typical treatment options can include:
Typical treatment options can include:
- Antibiotics (oral or topical) will treat bacterial infections.
- Antifungals (oral or topical) can treat yeast and ringworm infections.
- Steroids may be required to treat certain skin conditions.
- Immunosuppressive Drugs or Anti-cytokine Drugs may be needed for environmental allergy (Atopy) control. Often life long treatment is needed.
- Immunotherapy may be needed orally or by injection for allergy desensitization.
- Behavioral medications can treat nervous chewing or licking.
- Medicated shampoos or dips can treat cases of saroptic mange.
- Hypoallergenic diets will often solve hair loss due to food allergies. Allergies to foods take some time to define. The veterinarian will recommend a prescription or over the counter hypoallergenic diet and explain the proper method of transitioning to the new diet.
- Monthly flea preventative can clear up hair loss associated with flea allergies
- Thyroid medication and hormone therapy can reverse hair loss in hormonal and endocrine disorders.
- Vitamin E, Vitamin A and fish oil supplements may be recommended for pets with certain conditions or a predisposition to dry skin or skin infections.
- An Elizabethan collar (e-collar or cone) may be required to prevent your pet from licking at or itching the affected site until healed.
- Surgery may be required to remove sections of skin cancer or tumors. Neutering or spaying your pet may be required for sex-hormone disorders.
If hair loss in dogs is due to chemotherapy treatment, you could expect this to clear when chemotherapy sessions are completed. However, hair loss may be permanent when caused by genetics, scarring, callouses or pressure sores.
Most hair loss, when treated properly, will resolve — but recurrent skin conditions may require ongoing treatment.
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How do dogs recover from hair loss and alopecia?
Your dog should, all being well, recover from hair loss but depending on the cause and severity may need to be treated more than once.
Always administer treatment according to the veterinarian’s instructions. Follow-up appointments may be necessary to ensure the problem is improving and that any infection is clearing up.
As a pet parent, you have a job to do: to monitor your pet’s skin and hair regrowth and communicate any changes or concerns to the veterinarian so they can adjust treatment accordingly.
Always administer treatment according to the veterinarian’s instructions. Follow-up appointments may be necessary to ensure the problem is improving and that any infection is clearing up.
As a pet parent, you have a job to do: to monitor your pet’s skin and hair regrowth and communicate any changes or concerns to the veterinarian so they can adjust treatment accordingly.
Hair loss can be expensive to treat. If you aren’t already covered, you should start searching for pet insurance today, which can help to support the cost of treatment.
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Hair Loss Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Aspin
Four Months
26 found this helpful
26 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Noisy Breathing
What kind of medication can I use to my puppy?
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
26 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Your pups both appear to have a lot of hair loss in that picture, and there are many causes for this to occur. It would be best to have a veterinarian look at the puppies, as they may have parasites or skin infections, or ringworm or fungal disease. A veterinarian will be able to see what is going on when they are able to examine the pups and get the right medications.
Oct. 7, 2020
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Golden Retriever
Two Months
12 found this helpful
12 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hair Loss Around Eyes
Hair loss around eyes
July 15, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
12 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Puppies can be affected by bacterial infections or parasites like Demodex. It would be best to have your puppy seen by a veterinarian, as they can look at the dog's skin, see what might be going on, and get medication so that your puppy is able to get back to normal quickly. I hope that all goes well.
July 15, 2020
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Blue Pit Bull
3yrs
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness,,,Tough Scaley Sknon Sides Hair Loss Bumps An Flaky Skin Loss Appetite Stay In Bed Has Flea Alergy
What do I do for my 3yr old pit we go just came down with these symptoms after I moved him to Ms,where there was sand everywhere an he got infested with fleas
July 14, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Flea control will be essential for him, and oral forms help more than topical or OTC collars with flea allergies. He may need antibiotics or medication to help with his itching until his flea allergies are back under control, as well. It would be best to have a veterinarian examine him, see what medications he needs to get his skin healthy again, and prescribe an oral flea medication for him.
I hope that all goes well for him.
July 14, 2020
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Mutt
Cricket
24 Months
14 found this helpful
14 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hair Loss
My two year old mixed breed pup has been losing hair since the end of winter. It began on her legs and is moving up and is now on her chest and shoulders. It is even and parallel-no hot spots or random areas There remains a thin covering of a few hairs and revealed underneath is a spotted skin (which I assume is normal). She doesn't exhibit any unusual scratching or licking (the average quick scratch now and then). The vet tested her thyroid(normal) and she is on a monthly flea treatment. We do not know what breeds she is made of so I'm not sure if this is breed specific.
Shes not in any pain and it seems purely cosmetic but still I worry. What should my vet do, if anything?
Sept. 16, 2018
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Great Pyrenees
Sunny
9 Years
7 found this helpful
7 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hair Loss
My dog was rescued after being found as a young 2-3 month old pup. He had many issues when he was first found, and was in isolation most of his life until he was rescued by me at 11 months old, and has been the only dog in our household since his rescue. He is a 9 y.o. mix (Great Pyrenees, Collie, Shetland Sheepdog – verified by DNA testing) who has been suffering from significant hair loss around his neck, back legs, tail, side around rib cage, and now behind his left ear. This began approximately three (3) years ago, and was noticed after he was shaved for the summer for the 3rd or 4th time of his life. We do not believe this has anything to do with him being shaved, it was just noticed that his hair wasn't growing back after the shave three (3) summers ago. Thyroid condition also discovered 3/4+ years ago, and he is on medication for his thyroid (0.8 Thyro-Tabs Canine [levothyroxine sodium tablets] twice per day). We have tried diet changes, raw food, no grains, etc., and tried numerous things recommended by different veterinarians, including a dermatologist, a naturopath, a homeopath, and others. Upon adoption and for many years, he had a thick beautiful hair all over. It is heartbreaking to see him so patchy, with bald spots all over. He is a mellow dog, doesn’t enjoy other dogs so much, sleeps a lot, likes to roam around our large property in Texas, doesn’t seem to be itchy or uncomfortable in anyway.
Aug. 28, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
7 Recommendations
Without seeing Sunny, I don't have any way to comment on the hair loss, other than to wonder if his thyroid levels have been checked since you started him on medications for that, as thyroid disease can greatly affect skin condition. Demodex and other skin problems can also be exacerbated by a low thyroid.
Aug. 28, 2018
Thank you for your response. His thyroid seems to be well controlled with the medication. All tests are coming back normal for everything. That is why this is so troubling. We would love to see a specialist, but we have exhausted all options in our local area, this is why we are reaching out.
Aug. 29, 2018
Sunny's Owner
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Chihuahua
Ava
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hair Loss
My dog's neck and in front of her ears are bald. She has absolutely no hair on those areas; just bare skin. She is shedding, but those are the only bald areas that she has. She doesn't have any other symptoms, besides scratching herself. When I deflea her she only has a couple of fleas. Her hair is very short and thin; which it has always been that way since she was born. I am guessing that beings she has that type of hair, may be why she doesn't have a whole lot of fleas. I am not quite sure what is causing the shedding, bald spots and itching. She has had this problem for a couple of months now.
Labrador Retriever
jazzie
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hair Loss
My 8 yrs old black lab is having severe hair fall, and the area where we hold the hair gets detached from the body. the hair looks like dry, and not strong. what could be the reason? so far I have changed her food to no wheat or grain in it and give her oatmeal baths and rub her down with coconut oil to try and help her from losing her hair she started losing it after she had her litter of puppies but it started to get really bad this last year in half, she is drinking a lot and going to the bathroom more too please can someone help me figure it out
